Sunderland's loss to Newcastle got campaign to reach Europa League back on track, says Phil Bardsley

Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley has put his club’s challenge for European
football down to an unlikely source – a “kick up the backside” by their
fiercest rivals.

Pushing on: Phil Bardsley says Sunderland have had a new lease of life since they were humiliated by NewcastlePhoto: ACTION IMAGES

By Rob Stewart

10:20AM GMT 10 Jan 2011

The former Manchester United player is hoping the derby day demolition by Newcastle United will prove to be a blessing in disguise as his team step up their quest for a European adventure

His Wearside club may have been knocked out of the FA Cup by Notts County but have been upwardly mobile since a 5-1 thrashing at St James’ Park but are now firmly on course for a Europa League place after moving into sixth place in the Premier League.

“Maybe the derby was the kick up the backside we needed,” Bardsley said. “The aim is to finish higher than Newcastle and to get into Europe and that at least would do something to ease the painful memories of the derby defeat. If we are more consistent then and finish higher in the league then maybe the defeat was a blessing.

“As a squad we let everybody down and each individual didn’t show up. You can’t win matches when that happens. We just didn’t turn up on the day and it cost us. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong for unfortunately it was against Newcastle it was a hard one to take.

“It must have been difficult for the fans. It was a day when nothing went right for us. But we’ve been on a good run since then with good performances at Spurs and Chelsea away, the Stoke win immediately afterwards was very important.

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“The results we have had since the derby show the spirit in our camp. To bounce back like we have shows tremendous character.”

A team-bonding visit to a local restaurant when discussing the derby was strictly off the menu could have proved to be the catalyst for the recovery.

“It was vital to keep the squad together and on the Thursday we went down to a restaurant and had a laugh and a joke together,” Bardsley, 25, said.

“We didn’t talk about the game. We just tried to be together. Everyone knew what went wrong and we were all looking to the next game we had against Stoke to put it right. We had to get over the derby game. We had to dust ourselves down. We had a really tough run coming up and fortunately we have done really well.”

The arch-enemies collide again at the Stadium of Light this Sunday.

“We are aware of the return fixtures and when it is but we can’t get carried away with it like a few did last time,” the Scottish international added.

“Some of us got drawn up in the occasion rather than the game. So we have to just take it when it comes. We had a lot of young lads in the team at Newcastle and it was a tough day for everybody. As a team we just weren’t good enough. They turned up on the day and gave us a doing over.”

Sunderland have lost just two league games since the Newcastle defeat and Black Cats fans are starting to dream of European football.

“We have had a good start this year and if we cam maintain the consistency there is n reason why we can’t finish in the top half,” Bardsley said.

“Everybody is trying to get into Europe and we are no different and the position we are in at the moment is a good one. But if you lose a couple, the league it is so tight and if you don’t pick up a couple of results you can find yourself find the bottom half very quickly. Consistency is the main priority and if we can get that there is a chance of bringing European football back to this club.”